Monday, 29 January 2007

You may remember in a previous entry,my troubles with the doctors. Well today I had a appointment with my paediatrician.Unfortunately, I cannot get re-registered at the specialist hospital.I would have to get them made by our local hospital which has ‘improved’ its services.The ‘mole’ on my back shall be cut off by a dermatologist, so that’s a good thing. Apart from that, nothing much has happened.

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

When the crunch came to the crunch, I didn’t audition for a role in the school musical. I let my nerves get the better of me.I was going to audition. I had learnt my lines and songs. But as last lesson began I couldn’t help thinking “What am I doing?” I wasn’t nervous or anything about the audition.But I kept on thinking what would happen if I got a part in “We Will Rock You”.

At the moment I am studying to achieve A-Level qualifications in Health & Social Care and English Literature.I am struggling to meet the demands of those subjects. I do not need the added pressure of rehearsing for a musical too.

I’m sure the drama teacher will have jobs to do backstage. Maybe I will get assigned to help backstage. I know the pantomime in December was successful, but I may have got stage fright in front of whole school.I didn’t want that to happen, that would be my worst nightmare.

I’m sure I’ll get many other opportunities to share my talent.I’m taking part in the Viva! re-run of “Cinderella" in April so all is not lost.

Tuesday, 23 January 2007

I thought I would write something in my journal to spare my own sanity. As the title suggests, I’m getting slightly stressed.Why, you ask? Auditions from my school musical “We Will Rock You” have been brought forward to TOMORROW!

I am auditioning for three lead roles. The part of Freddie Mercury who is the lead singer of Queen, a gay male called Britney and Pop, a librarian. Also I have to learn two songs: “I Want to Break Free” and “Innuendo”.

I have mixed feelings about auditioning at the moment. I would like to, but am I really capable of taking on such a major role?What if I forgot my dialogue or song words? It doesn’t bother me if I don’t get a part because it will be an experience.If I don’t try, I’ll never know!

Wednesday, 17 January 2007

A month ago, it was a normal school day. I got up at 7:00a.m, made my bed like I usually would. I had a shower, got out and wiped my back.I looked at the yellow towel I was holding, it was covered with fresh red blood.

I could feel something dripping down my back. I wiped with a fresh towel. I looked at that and it was covered with blood and pus. Puzzled I called mum, who suggested a skin tag had caught on something which caused the bleed.She wiped away the blood and put a plaster on it.

After three days, the ‘skin tag’ was still bleeding so we decided to go to mylocal G.P as an ‘Emergency case’.But unfortunately he wouldn’t see me.Then I made an appointment to see him two days later.I went to the surgery and the appointment slot at 10:30a.m came and went.

Three hours later, my name was called. The doctor examined my back.He didn’t know what it was so he couldn’t do anything and has referred me to a Dermatologist (skin specialist).I was annoyed as I’d waited three hours for a five minute check-up!

Just when I thought my day couldn’t get worse, I arrived home to discover a letter for the specialist hospital in Oswestry.As many of you know I had an operation three years ago on my legs to straighten them. I was discharged from the specialists last May, but I was kept on their books because they make me leg splints.

Well for some unknown reason I had been dropped from their books! Is this a good thing or bad thing?I was told I would have to have splints made by my local hospital.Mum and I were annoyed because we were told by the specialists that the splints I’d been wearing had not helped my condition, it had made it worse.

I don’t mind travelling three hours in the car because the end result is worthwhile.I get splints that are tailored exactly to my needs.Even if we have to pay for them, it doesn’t matter because they will be the best.

I went to see my G.P about this who said he will re-register me with the specialists shortly so that’s a good thing.He also said to make an appointment about the ‘skin tag’ on my back.We got a letter saying the appointment had been postponed as the Doctor is away indefinitely, so I’ll let you know the outcome in a later entry.

What would you do if you were in this situation? Has anyyone else had a doctor do a runner? Comments and any advice would be appreciated.

Sunday, 14 January 2007

As many of you know, last Christmas I took part in a charity pantomime “Cinderella”.It was orginised by a charity called The Viva! Project.

Viva is a registered charity working with disabled young people aged between 11 and 25, who live in the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales. The charity was established in 1992 to create and facilitate leisure and training opportunities for young people with disabilities.

I shall don my red cap and suit once more to play Buttons, Cinderella’s best friend.The performance will take place sometime during April.I really enjoyed playing that character.I’m so excited to be reprising it!

I am also contemplating auditioning for this year’s school production.It is based on a West End musical called “We Will Rock You” and it features the songs of rock band Queen.

I am nervous about auditioning, but if I don’t try I will never know.Also Freddie Mercury’s voice is high pitched.I don’t think his songs will suit my voice.To be honest, I am not a big fan of Queen, but I like some of their songs.I have not sung a song by Queen in my life!!There’s a first time for everything.

Also when I studied Drama at GCSE level, it used to frustrate me a lot.I’d work so hard in rehearsals, then on the day I’d mess it all up by forgetting my words.It was a scripted performance and it did not help my nerves when an examiner turned up to watch, I froze!

I felt so bad.I felt I let everyone down. It really knocked my confidence and I began to loathe the subject. I’m back with a vengeance and I want to show that teacher what I can do!

Thursday, 11 January 2007

We adopted Soapy back in September 1996.My mum’s friend cat had given birth to a litter of six kittens.It was costly and unfortunately, she could not take care of all of all them.So mum was asked if she could give a good home, and the rest is history.

When he was younger, he jumped in the bath.Then he started playing with the foam bubbles.He got out and was covered in white bubbles!That’s how he got his name.

He is a very friendly cat.He also likes to eat and sleep all day. Wouldn’t life be easy if we were a cat?

Our youngest cat is named Chewy.We rescued her from an Animal shelter in July 2004.Her previous owners had named her Chewbacca from the “Star Wars” movies.We shortened it, and my goodness, she lives up to it by eating anything and everything!

When we brought her home, she couldn’t eat.All she was drinking was cat milk.But then Soapy encouraged her to eat, and showed her what to do. They get along great. They really look after each another.

Chewy is a very shy and timid cat.Mum used to look after some children, who would chase after her and scream at her. It was terrible, and shortly afterwards we asked the mum to find another child minder.

Mum still looks after children.But these ones are much better behaved.But if Chewy hears any loud or sudden noises, she runs away.Now, she is getting used to things and is much better.

Monday, 8 January 2007

Hooray, I finished one essay over the weekend! I did the easier one first. I had to write about the famous carriage-ride scene in “Emma” by Jane Austen. Now I have to write another essay in which I have to compare two poems and the poet’s idea on the theme of marriage.

I always find the poetry segment of English Literature difficult.Very soon we shall be having a new teacher as our old one is retiring. He was a good teacher but he was a traditionalist. He would always go off on a tangent using big words. I slowly began to loathe English during the four years he taught me.

But the new teacher has put a modern spin on it. She explains things in simple terms and in a way her pupils understand.In her opinion, our old teacher would “empathise too much on things that weren’t relevant”.

I have had no luck on finding the missing pencil case yet, though I have a good idea where it could be.In school, like mum suggested, on one of my English classes. That was the last lesson I had before the holidays. So I’m hoping it’ll still be there.

Saturday, 6 January 2007

Yesterday I discovered I had lost my school pencil case. I searched my house high and low in all the familiar places, but no avail.I searched again, no luck.Then I started to panic!I know a pencil case is a really silly thing to worry over.But I was panicking because my school timetable is in it.I can get that replaced, but I can’t stand the thought of being unorganised for the new school term.

I’m much calmer now and I’m not worried. I know it’ll turn up somewhere. Isn’t it funny? If you spend ages looking for something, it usually appears right under your nose.Or sometimes, you set out looking for an object, and you find something that you lost ages ago.

Do you think J-land has been quiet since the Christmas? Are AOL Alerts down?I have not received many “New Entry” or “Comment Added” alerts. Maybe its AOL’s belated Christmas gift to us, GRR!

Thursday, 4 January 2007

On Tuesday I watched the Christmas and New Year specials of “The Vicar of Dibley”.I don’t think I laughed so much in all my life, it was hilarious!Dawn French stars as Geraldine Granger, and in my opinion is brilliant at any she does.The comedy has ended after twelve years of making us laugh – and the show ended on a high by pulling in the highest rating of viewers.

During an interview in “The Daily Mirror”, the show’s creator and writer Richard Curtis admitted the characters are to return for one last special. The last-ever episode is going to be broadcast in March 2007, as part of the Comic Relief fundraising extravaganza.

This is one of many hilarious scenes from the Christmas special 2006: "The Handsome Stranger".

Tuesday, 2 January 2007

Mum has taken down the Christmas decorations now, while Dad is back at work. She has decided to leave the lights in our front window until the twelfth day after Christmas.It’s funny how people always like to put the decorations up early, and then is in no hurry to take them down after the holidays.The room feels bare without its centrepiece.

A sense of normality has kicked in again.I go back to school on January 9th.I have two essays to write for English and one report for Health and Social Care. I know now it would have been easier to work on a bit every night.But the truth is I couldn’t be bothered to do the work! It was Christmas last week and all I wanted to do was chill out, forget about school and enjoy the celebrations.

All I need is motivation and reassurance, and then I’ll get done. This is a bad habit to break.I always seem to leave tasks till the last minute. Then I have to rely on extensions, which isn’t fair on the teachers.

I’m so easily distracted!If I’m doing some work I’m usually online, or listening to music. It helps me concentrate better on the set task.That usually gets me nowhere because I sing along to the songs. Have you got any tips which could help me in this situation?

Monday, 1 January 2007

I can’t believe it’s the first of January 2007. This time last week it was Christmas Day. Where does the time go?Days seem to fly away as quickly as they arrive.

I spent the last night of 2006 with my grandmother’s house. The night seemed to disappear so quickly. Nan was worried where the hours were going.“Why can’t time just stop? Then none of would get older.Then we could stay as we are.” Time waits for no-one; it’s just something we have to make the most of.

Usually I like to see the New Year in watching Jools Holland’sAnnualHootenanny concert on BBC2.The former member of Squeeze conducts an orchestra.Then he sings with celebrities who have had an impact on the charts that year.

This year Nan wanted to watch the conclusion of “A Dinner of Herbs”, a drama based on a novel by Catherine Cookson.I vaguely remember watching it on T.V years ago. I didn’t have a clue what it was about. Well I was only 12 years old at the time.

Then we watched the New Years’ Eve celebrations in London broadcast on the BBC.The firework display was marvelous.I would have loved to been there. The atmosphere must have amazing!

The weather in Wales was terrible last night: thunder, lightening and gale force winds. Many celebrations had to be cancelled because of the awful weather conditions.It is still raining as I type this.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years’ Day.I arrived home for my Nan’s to find 43 e-mails waiting for me in my inbox. I spent most of the afternoon commenting on journal entries.I didn’t realise how time-consuming writing comments could be.I’m not going to let Alerts pile up like that again!

About Me

My name is Leigh. I am 19 years old. I live in South Wales in the U.K
with my parents and two pet cats. I suffer from a condition called
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy. However, I do not let this get me down. My motto
in life is you should "Never judge a book by it's cover". I also
believe that if you possess a positive attitude in life, you will
achieve great success.